Apple’s WWDC 2026 keynote placed unusual emphasis on showing AI features running on actual devices, a shift that comes after delays to previously announced Apple Intelligence capabilities and a recent settlement tied to claims over earlier demonstrations.
Many of the Apple Intelligence presentations featured people holding iPhones and interacting with features in a format designed to resemble real-world use. Although the demonstrations were pre-recorded, they differed from the heavily produced videos Apple used during WWDC 2024, when it first introduced Apple Intelligence and a revamped Siri.
Focus on completed features
Apple opened this year’s keynote with updates to existing products and software fixes.
Among the changes highlighted were:
- Adjustments to the Liquid Glass interface.
- Improvements to search.
- Updates to Image Playground.
- A redesigned Siri.
The company also demonstrated features such as voice customization and improved voice-to-text transcription.
Comments on X drew comparisons between this year’s demonstrations and the 2024 presentations, which critics had described as “vaporware.”
Delays followed 2024 promises
At WWDC 2024, Apple said the new Siri features would become available on devices including the iPhone 15 Pro and Macs equipped with M1 chips or newer.
By March 2025, however, Apple acknowledged to Daring Fireball that the rollout would take longer than expected.
“We’re going to take us longer than we thought to deliver,” the company said at the time.
Apple later faced a federal lawsuit alleging false advertising related to the features shown during the 2024 event.
Last month, the company agreed to a $250 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing.
Wider device support
Apple said the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features will be available through iOS 27.
Supported devices include:
iPhone
- iPhone 15 Pro.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- All iPhone 16 models and later.
iPad
- iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip.
- iPad models with M1 chips or newer.
Mac
- MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip.
- Mac models with M1 chips or later.
Other devices
- Apple Vision Pro.
- Apple Watch Series 10 and later.
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.
- Apple Watch SE 3 when paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone.
Apple’s current flagship smartphone lineup is the iPhone 17.
TL;DR
Apple used more device-focused demonstrations for its AI features at WWDC 2026, following delays to previously announced Siri capabilities and a recent $250 million settlement tied to claims over earlier presentations.
AI summary
- Apple showed many AI features running on actual devices during WWDC 2026.
- The approach differed from the heavily produced demos used in 2024.
- Apple delayed several Apple Intelligence features after their initial unveiling.
- The company recently agreed to a $250 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing.
- New Siri features will support iPhone 15 Pro models and newer devices.
